Leigeb recovering from surgery

Brian Leigeb isnt necessarily aiming to get back into the National Football League  his goal right now is just to get his right shoulder back to full strength.

Leigeb, a Dow High graduate and former Central Michigan University standout free safety, played for the Indianapolis Colts last year. After being cut by the Colts and failing a physical with the Cincinnati Bengals, he underwent open surgery in late April to repair a shoulder he dislocated in a preseason game last August.

"Its not looking too good for this year," Leigeb said of his prospects of making an NFL team. He was told that full recovery would take six months, which would keep him out of action until at least late October.

But Leigeb does entertain thoughts of returning to the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League, where he played in 2001. Before the surgery, Leigeb spoke with the Rampage coaches about returning. Their training camp begins in January.

"Im thinking if I get healthy, theyll bring me into training camp at least," Leigeb said. "I just want to be happy wherever Im at. I dont necessarily care about the money. I just like to play."

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old is also considering a return to CMU in the fall to finish his degree in mechanical engineering. He has one semester left.

Leigeb recently moved back to Midland and does stretching routines three times a day to increase the range of motion in his shoulder. He also goes to a physical therapist every week.

"I went golfing today," he said. "I can do things with controlled movements  no contact sports."

Once he has good motion in his shoulder, Leigeb will start on strength training.

CMUs all-time leading tackler, Leigeb signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2001 but was cut at the end of training camp. He signed with the Colts in December 2001.